In order to ensure transparency, Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, stated on Saturday that the PM Flood Relief Fund would be audited by the AGPR and a private audit company.
According to Geo News, he also declared that audit reports would be made available to the public. The prime minister explained the choice on Twitter, saying it was a result of his pledge to uphold transparency.
Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for extending the aid package for flood victims from the initial RMB 100 million to RMB 400 million.
According to Geo News, Pakistan pledged earlier today to restore “normalcy” and help the impacted people after catastrophic floods claimed more than 1,200 lives and ruined millions of homes.
Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal urged the international community to assist Pakistan during a press conference at the National Flood Response and Coordination Centre. He also reassured the country that the government, backed by its functionaries, would do everything possible to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
“Highly grateful to H.E. President Xi Jinping for the Chinese assistance package of RMB 400 million, up from an initial RMB 100 million, for flood victims in Pakistan. This is a reflection of our unique bond of friendship. This support will help provide much-needed relief to the people,” tweeted Pakistan’s PM.
As the nation struggles to deal with a relief and rescue operation of an unprecedented size, the death toll from Pakistan’s catastrophic floods increased on Saturday with 29 new fatalities, 25 of them children, according to ARY News.
In order to assess the disaster, a high-level group established to oversee the relief effort convened in Islamabad on Saturday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif served as the meeting’s chair.
33 million people have been affected by the floods, which were caused by record monsoon rains and melting glaciers in the northern Himalayas. At least 1,290 people have died in the floods, including 441 children. The flooding, which is related to climate change, is still growing.
